A closer look at specialist cleaning nozzles | Engineer Live

Although chemical plant processes vary broadly, plant dusts, grease, slag, metals, residues, and cementitious particulates generated during manufacturing can make their way into the wastewater stream of many chemical processes. There they can accumulate and harden in underground pipelines.

As a result, chemical plants conduct periodic maintenance to flush debris and sediment from pipes, including breaking up hardened obstructions, to prevent blockage and protect downstream wastewater treatment equipment from excessive loading.

Bill Benner, senior project manager for Seattle-based Ventilation Power Cleaning (VPC), a firm that provides vacuum truck services to remove industrial debris from wastewater said:“If this kind of debris is transported by pipe to onsite clarifiers, digesters, sewer vaults, or treatment plants, it can disrupt and overburden the process as it collects and hardens.”

According to Benner, most wastewater pipes are typically 300-500’ long and 12-46” in diameter. Special nozzles are used to propel a hose connected to a vacuum truck down the pipeline and back using water jets. The nozzle must supply enough force to dislodge any debris and carry it back using water pressure to be suctioned out by the vacuum truck.

“Industrial plants cannot afford production downtime, so we rely on high-performance nozzles to get the job done quickly and reliably,” he says.

Industry insiders know that there are different tiers of nozzles rated for performance. Low-performance Tier 1 nozzles tend to use only 30% of the available energy, wasting 70% due to excessive turbulence. Tier 2 nozzles are more efficient but still inadequate for tougher jobs. By contrast, the most effective Tier 3 nozzles have tight water patterns that efficiently clean the pipe floor/wall. In addition, the units create a powerful water stream that not only moves debris long distances but also propels the nozzle.

“We rely on the highest-efficiency Tier 3 nozzles by KEG because they help us move the hose and nozzle down the entire length of pipe to the debris location and push the debris out of the line with water pressure so that we can remove it with the vacuum truck,” says Benner.

KEG Technologies is a manufacturer of industrial, sewer and storm line products including Tier 1 to Tier 3 nozzles, floor cleaners, and chain cutters, it is also a member of NASSCO - the National Association of Sewer Service Companies.

What sets the most efficient Tier 3 nozzles apart from others in the category is fluid mechanics engineering on a par with the aerodynamics of race cars or jet fighters, according to the company. In the case of KEG’s Tier 3 nozzles, the high-performance fluid mechanics design leaves little room for power losses and excessive turbulence.

For wastewater applications, VPC prefers floor cleaner and spinning style nozzles.

“Floor cleaner nozzles are designed to ride on the bottom third of pipe so have the most dynamic effect for removing heavy debris, sand, and rock that has accumulated,” says Benner. For example, KEG’s Torpedo Nozzle uses two different water jet angles to ensure superior sand, mud, and debris transport from the pipe floor in diameters from 6-16”.

VPC also uses a unique rotating nozzle to remove stubborn debris from pipes.

“Specialist cleaning nozzles are necessary to efficiently clean industrial pipes and lines of debris. This commitment to quickly getting the job done well has earned us repeat business and helped to keep plants running without incident or downtime,” says Benner.

For more information visit: www.kegtechnologies.net